Brennan uses depth to overpower Vista Ridge

By Terrence Thomas :
February 14, 2014

Brennan center Deja Mason pivots under post defenders to convert a layup during a Class 4A second-round game against Cedar Park Vista Ridge. Mason had eight points off the bench.

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Bear power forward Eliza Martinez fights off a group of Rangers for a rebound as Brennan plays Vista Ridge in the second round of girls high school basketball playoffs at Canyon High School gym on February 14, 2014.

Photo By For the San Antonio Express-News

Tanaeya Boclair takes an outside shot for the Bears as Brennan plays Vista Ridge in the second round of girls high school basketball playoffs at Canyon High School gym on February 14, 2014.

Photo By For the San Antonio Express-News

Bear point guard Kinzie Heineman lofts a runner for the Bears in the first half as Brennan plays Vista Ridge in the second round of girls high school basketball playoffs at Canyon High School gym on February 14, 2014.

Photo By For the San Antonio Express-News

Eliza Martinez snares a rebound as Brennan plays Vista Ridge in the second round of girls high school basketball playoffs at Canyon High School gym on February 14, 2014.

Photo By For the San Antonio Express-News

Carlie Heineman stretches under the interior defense of the Rangers as Brennan plays Vista Ridge in the second round of girls high school basketball playoffs at Canyon High School gym on February 14, 2014.

Brennan's Kealani Marquez (left), who missed last season with a knee injury, scored seven points in the Bears' 57-31 victory.

NEW BRAUNFELS — Brennan senior Kealani Marquez hauled in a pass near half court late in the fourth quarter and dribbled toward a sideline.

Marquez saw an opening and headed toward the basket, using a hesitation dribble to shake a defender before being fouled while making a layup.

The moment was one of many in the top-ranked Bears' 57-31 Class 4A second-round triumph over Cedar Park Vista Ridge at Canyon High School on Friday.

But the play's symbolism was hard for Marquez to ignore. After missing the 2012-13 season with a right knee injury, the 5-foot-11 guard is as strong as ever.

“It's good to know that I can still do what I used to,” said Marquez, who scored seven points in the Bears' 15th straight victory since their only loss on Dec. 27, 2013. “It's great to come back.”

Marquez's return adds another weapon to an already deep Brennan squad. That much was on display Friday as eight players scored, led by senior forward Tanaeya Boclair's game-high 24 points. Deja Mason had eight points off the bench, Kinzie Heineman tallied seven and Carlie Heineman chipped in six.

In a game featuring the teams that played in last year's Region IV-4A final, Brennan's balance helped turn the rematch into a mismatch.

The Bears (31-1) used a 9-0 run early in the first quarter to break open a 5-5 tie and never looked back. They led by seven after one period, 12 at halftime and 17 after three quarters.

Brennan limited the Rangers (27-7) to 15 second-half points, including only six on 2-of-11 shooting in the third quarter.

“They're a really good team — and we beat them tonight,” Marquez said of Vista Ridge, which has no seniors on its 14-player roster. Japreece Dean, a junior guard, led the Rangers with 15. Karrington Brown added six.

With the victory, Brennan moved another step close toward winning another regional title and advancing to the state tournament. The realization wasn't loss on Marquez, who was relegated to a sideline spectator a year ago during the Bears' landmark season.

This time around, she has a much better view of Brennan's postseason journey.

“It was really hard to watch,” Marquez said. “But the team came through, they worked hard, they worked together. They were great. I realized how hard the girls worked last year. I was there for them on the bench, trying to be the best cheerleader on the team. They were there for me as well.”